General Chat

hi it is tuesday 6.58pm my time almost midnight your time first of all my recall mammagram test went well what they saw was a kinked blood vessal so that was goo that was yesterday to-day andrew phoned this am to say he has found a specialist who will see me in toronto about the middle of august time and date to be confirmed documents were being faxed to them from my doc's office to-day so that was the good news followed by the sad news that they had booked rocky in at the vets for 4-30pm to be put to sleep apparantly he was not able to walk very well to-day and the vet felt that the bacteria spilling into his blood stream had reached the brain, Laura phoned me about 5pm and said grandma he's gone to sleep and we had a little weep over the phone. I don't usually come on the computor in the evening but I thought I would keep myself busy hope you all are well, anne said the rain was very heavy in bury to-day sleep well bye dorothy

goodmorning one and all it is a dull monday here we had a storm last night but we needed the rain and we should get more to-day I looked up the five day forecast for greater manchester this am and it seems like rain every day for you brenda but they must have it wrong if john is out golfing, hope you enjoy the house and animal sitting it can be fun , spoke to anne yesterday and she said she had lots of rain but she did go to the store openigs on friday she said it was very crowded but didsee some bargins she see's the specialist on the 29th and is hoping he will book her for the other eye to be done she has fallen down a couple of stairs lately with one good eye and one bad, not sure why the long time between surgeries over here it seems to be only about 3 weeks between as a rule. I enjoyed the golf yesterday and watching the scenary was great. my friend isobelle in brampton has decided to book a trip to the artice circle to-day for next year at this time if she books to-day they get it at this years prices one of our other nursing friends is going to go with her not quite my cup of tea as aboat cruise is involved as part of the trip and I only like ships when they stay in dry dock!!!!. but it will be something to look foreward too for the both of them.that reminds me I have to renew my passport they now have two ways to do it a quick way and a long way and I should be eligble for the quick way which is one short form and one photo and not a lot of other siginatures so I must get one it in august even though I am not planning a trip you never know what comes up in the future, well time to get ready for the visit to the hospital and the re test so bye for now dorothy

Morning folks,we have another wet start here but it shoild dry up and be nice and warm and sunny later if they have it correct on the tv !!
Was up at 3.30 this morning as one of the cats got out of the kitchen and woke the dogs in the dining room ,got up the stairs and in our room and woke us up as well,talk about Muldoons picnic !!
John was not amused to say the least,if it happends again tonight we might have to split the sleeping arrangements up and one stay here and one at home so we can at least get some sleep.
John has gone to his golf and I am here so not much change there.!
You are a busy boy again Fred,mind you lisening to my friends and family ,you are right thats what dads,and mums are for.One of neices was booked to go to Turkey with the firm that went bust over the weekend,so who has stepped in with help fianancially while he travel authorities sot things out good old mum and dad,!!.Her friends have borrowed money from one of the others mothers as well,and need to repay it at somuch a moth when they are back.They have managed to get a week all incluscive to Eygpt for about the same as they paid for Turkey or a bit more..Better get my other emails sorted,See you soon Brendal

Morning all ,huh ,we are back to normal up in the north east ,drizzle ,very cool ,and ,looking at the web page on science ,it seems it's all to do with the sun being very quiet allowing the upper layer of the atmosphere to shrink allowing heat to escape,so it looks like we have had our summer for this year, again.
Still ,It seems the sun's quiet period is coming to an end ,so there may be better seasons ahead [i hope].
This is a reason for my veggie [some of ] doing so well this year ,and others not,cabbages like tons of water so the brassica do well ,but stuff like carrots and peppers like tons of sun,so those are at a standstill ,win some loose some as they say.
This may be a reason why the victorian gardeners did so well with their massive glass houses on the country estates ,they could plan things ,far better in the days when seasons were more reliable .
Enjoy your pet minding Brenda ,he he ,i can remember being innundated many times at my sisters smallholding a few times while she was still alive ,lol, three dogs ,four cats ,goats ,pigs ,geese and ducks ,chickens and assorted other pets and livestock ,a busy time ,but a change of air and scenery ,i used to love doing it.
Glad to hear that someone managed a good outdoor B B Q ,huh ,i am thinking of putting up another greenhouse so that i can do mine no mater what ,he he ,might make some of the crops grow better as well,a bit extra warmth .
Have to get the battle bus out now ,an errand for my youngest son while he has a day off ,a trip to B &Q to change some excess flooring for some paint ,but i must remember to take my bank card or they won't exchange [the flooring was paid for on my bank card you see ,yeah ,that's what dads are for ,lol.
Be back later after i have done this chore ,and a bit dusting,Fred.

Hello everyone,from another grey wet and windy day here. I am at my friends house for a few days house and pet minding!! All their family have gone away to Ibiza for the week .we could have gone but would have been the only ones without youngsters and so we went earlier in the year.We know the animals but not the kitchen and found it a bit like a self catering holiday when we made tea tonight. John is nearer his golf club,so he is ok ,but I left my car at home and will be stranded sort of til he comes home tomorrow afternoon.So he will take me home for my car and a few other things we forgot after lunch tomorrow.
Fred i hope you enjoy the "fruits of your labours as they say ,you seem to be doing so up to now. you make everything sound wonderful.
Glad your BBQ went well Dorothy and hope the repaet check ups are ok asweel.Things over here are going up I have noyt used my free swimming passm yet and its finishing next week,and they are talking of stopping the free bus pass.But the parking charges are not good anywhere here at the minute and the hospital near me well they are parking along all the main roads and walking at least tweny minutes into the grounds before paying the fee.!! Better go and have my horlicks ,See you soon ,Brenda

good sunday moring I was up at 6 to start watching the golf must be crazy I know, yes fred I guess we have snaffled the good weather another lovely morning nice and warm and not humid at the moment, as usual your menu sounded good made my mouth water, and my egg and toast somewhat dull. the bar-b que last evening was very good about 32 people showed up so a good time was had by all. to-morrow I am off for a repeat mammagram and ultra sound I don't believe there is a problem this happend last year as well but with the family history it is well to be careful but to-morrow they have put up the parking fee's it used to be 7 dollars for all day now it is 15 dollars and 9 for just one hour, but then again the boss of the hospital just recieved a big raise so do you think that has anything to do with it!!! wehave some new taxes in the province at the moment and all kind of things are goingup there now is a 13% tax on funerals, hydro has gone up it will be even more expensive for those of us who have electric heat but wait for it I just got a 0.03% raise on my old age pension about 11 dollars a month and I have figured out that some of the increases could cost me about 50-60 dollars a month makes you wonder thank goodness for priviate pensions that boost up my income. well enough maoning back to the golf bye dorothy

Well ,i don't think it's any better up here Brenda ,lol,19c ,in the middle of July,methinks we may yet again be in line for a long ,cold winter,i am taking no chances ,there are a couple of extra gas canisters on order already for the emergency heaters.
It was threatening rain up here yesterday afternoon ,so i did the two pork and apple burgers,and the two beefburgers [all Morrison] ,ones on the indoor grill we have ,and put them in four cheese muffins [toasted lightly].and made some onion rings which i did in a saucepan mixed with a cube [oxo].and finished it all off with a small side salad taken from the garden.
I froze down four calabrese heads this morning and left one other on the plant for todays dinner,and will be making another stir fry for tea with the veggie and courgette from the garden .
One of the courgettes i am leaving on the plant to grow marrow size ,which i am going to stuff with minced meat ,peppers and long grain rice ,which will make a nice dinner someday next week .
Nothing posh today ,he he ,i am being lazy ,two pieces of left over from two weeks ago ,toad in the 'ole ,from the freezer ,some nice new tatties sprinkled with a sun dried tomato mix which the wife fancied trying ,some french bean ,and carrot,should do very nicely i reckon.
The broad & runner bean are covered in flower now ,and it looks like a bumper crop this year ,and with the cabbage ,beetroot ,and kale ,we should do very well out of our little patch.
I saw a piece this morning about the brit' return of the heatwave Brenda ,he he ,i think we both sneezed and missed it ,either that ,or Dorothy and Edith have snaffled it while we were both looking 'tother way.
Time to go and make the coffee ,my turn today ,but the missus makes the bedtime drinks ,catch you later peeps,Fred.

Evening all.its been windy and wet again today ,but this evening is really nice I even managed to get some washing out at tea time and have just brought it in all dry.
Dorothy,hope the family are ok when ever they have to make the decision,its not an easy or nice thing to do even when you know your pet is suffering and will not get better.
Glad you managed to see the new centre ,think it will be a while till I go as it seems to be really busy!!
My great nice is two tomorrow she was born three weeks before my dad died and he only managed to see pictures of her,!! we have had two other little girls since he died ,hope we get a boy soon,who will carry the name on,!!
Better go now want to watch Casualty,hope your BBQ was good,think Fred was supposed to be having one this weekend.
Take care ,Brenday

hi brenda it is about 1-30 sat afternoon my time and I have just watched a video courtsey of the bury times of the opening of the new shops it seemed to be raining and very windy. I had dinner last evening over at the familys and the dog looked great but the vet says that all the liver blood results are awful and who knows when he may seizure again so they are not sure what to do and when to do it, lindy says he had had such a happy day playing at the off leash park wirh other dogs he pal;s around with and a swim in the stream , so we shall see what they decide, the children had been measured for the forms for camp so byran is now 5-101/2, laura 5-71/2 and ian 4-111/2 as ian put it I shall be over 5 ft when I get back from camp not bad for 15, 13 and 11, to-day is the complex bar-b-que so we shall have a good couple of hours and I won't have to cook supper, been watching the golf again and have enjoyed all the ups and downs bye for now dorothy

Evening folks ,we have a very windy evening heree after a very windy day,some rain but mainly windy and very grey.
Fred glad you enjoyed your visit and got home ok,
Dorothy,I did get to Bury and what a performance with the parking the new shops were open and the new car park is not!!! We ended up on thr top floor of thr multi storey,in the wind !!
It looks good my sister said her neighbour went in the Primark and the queues were horrendous,went in the old Marks and could not understand why it looked all sparse,thought they were bringing in new stock!!!I had a wonder round the in door market but had to stop myself getting yet more books!! I have three shelves of books not read yet.I wonder whar will happen with all the empty shops that will be in the Millgate.!!are they pulling it down!!
Got the birthday present I wanted but not the wrapping paper.
Got my car back at last and all fixed now all I need is a lovelly hot day to open my window for.
Have to go out now to see our friends before they go on hoilday.Brenda

hi its friday am quite early glad to see you and liz arrived home safely fred it sounds like you had a nice trip another lovely day here weather wise, but the family had some sad news for me last night rocky the beloved family dog is quite ill Lindy was taking him for a walk yesterday with all the grand kids and some of their friends and he had convulsions, his liver blood levals have not been good but with a new diet they thought they had it under control so they have to decide not if but when he should be put to sleep as nothing more can be done, he is a beautiful big dog looks like a wolf but is so gentle of course I got of the phone and had a weep this coming so soon after sasha dying. I may go over for dinner this evening and say my goodbyes. he is only 7 yrs old . other than that not much new at the moment maybe brenda has been over to bury and seen the new stores that opened or maybe that is not till to-morrow oh yes brenda the brother that is to phone this evening is the one who had the operation and is doing very well a very lucky guy, oh yes fred I have three tomato's on each plant and quite a few flowers slow but sure bye for now dorothy

Already arranged Brenda,we are going down two days before our Cornwall date so that we can stop off at Seans for two days ,breaking a long journey [A] and giving us a full day in Bath [b] lol.can't do better than that.
We did the trip home in five hours ,taking it easy and i was suprised to see that we have used only a little over a quarter of a tank of diesel ,well pleased with THAT result,and with a still tight engine yet .
I can see why John has gone off B B Qs Brenda ,which is why i have gone on to a gas one ,no lighting it ,and waiting for charcoal to heat up ,and then juggling the griddle to prevent burning ,he he ,all i do is turn the tap up and down ,,spot on ,and i can even add pine ,or oak chippings to smoke my meat or fish.
I even told Sean that the B B Q i would buy him for a house warming pressie for him and Marta would be his choice,and was taken aback when he said he would prefer a charcoal one ,but ,his choice at the end of the day ,so i got the big kettle one he was looking at [a Weber]] which should last him a few years.
You are getting on with it i see Dorothy,upbeat as normal ,lets hope you will get something sorted asap.
The wind is well up here having followed us up country it would seem ,but the garden is doing well ,we have courgettes and cucumbers ready ,tomatoes starting to ripen .the beans ,all varieties have tons of flower on ,and the salad ,and pak Choi are ready to use ,hah ,stir fry tomorrow i think ,and,oh ,we have a few calabrese heads to freeze.
Pity we have no peppers ready just yet ,but they arn't far behin ,and looking good.
Hissy is sticking to me like a Kling on,bless her and i don't think she will settle properly until all the bags are put away,she keeps running in ,looks at the bags ,looking at us and mewing.we arn't leaving them out to tease her ,we are just too tired to move them all tonight,and will move them tomorrow as soon as we have done the little shopping we require.
I filled the fuel tank to the gunnels before we came back up ,and will do the same as we get to Morrison's ,i am interested to see just how much fuel we used on the return trip, i think i may get a pleasant suprise.
Off now peeps to play with my little buddy for a while to get her settled down for the evening ,nah you lot ,i DiD mean the cat he he.
Catch you all later ,Fred.

goodmorning gosh frd I was in bath the same time as you!! ok I was watching a programme on the tele but I did enjoy it of course I did not have to drive like you, the meat supplies you plan on taking home soung very good, brenda hope you find what you want in bury I spoke to anne yesterday and she says marks moves this week, she mailes the book to me on tuesday so I should get it next week.to-day i am tagging along with a couple of neighbours to one of our big malls for a look around should be fun and makes a change this not driving is getting to me , andrew had arranged for me to see another specialist sooner than october but it has not worked out as the docotors wife is dying can';t blame the guy for cancelling apts apparently she has had a terminal illness I feel sorry for him and think how lucky I really am and have decided to stop moaning re the driving . up early to watch the golf from st andrews it starts at 4 am ove r here but it was a bit later that I got ie 7am. so bye for now dorothy

well Fred,you do get about mate don't you !!! hope you get back to see Bath like you planned.My friend wants to go back there again,might do a long weekend with her some time!! The BBQ sounds good,John has gone off BBq saying the grill and the George Foreman are just as good,!!
Found out today that the coffe and tea at the Thorntons cafe at our local retail park are just as nice as costa coffe and a lot cheaper.!!
Will have to make a appointment for an eye test soon,as I am having touble reading again.But will not be able to go till at least 15th August as I can claim on my Health insurance or what was Hospital Saturday fund till then.
Hopefully going to Bury tomorrow to get a couple of birthday ptesents thought I would get them nearer home today but no such luck,will have to go tomorrow ,cannot go friday and need them for Saturday, Been gettingcar insurance qets for john ,the difference is even more than when I did mine.!!!better go and hang the rest of the washing out and try to get it dried,brenda

Good morning all ,from a wet and windy Lyneham ,where i am sitting at the dining table in the front room watching a young song thrush having a tug of war with a worm ,lol,think the worm is winning ,so far.
We went to Bath yesterday ,wow ,what a lovely city ,massive ,neat [you can see the victorian legacy in the neat way the streets are set out] with it's beutiful park ,a little like The Dingle ,but not so big.
The whole city looks to have been built out of granite ,even the curved facade's up on the hills ,reflecting the sun over the city centre.
We didn't have long to spare ,having a bus to catch back to the camp ,but we spent an hour and a half ambling round the shops ,and streets ,which are set out in straight rows radiating out from the city centre ,but with lots of narrow alleys crossing through them everywhere you turn ,we thought it was like a massive shambles ,a bit like the one in York.
We already plan to stop off for two days at the grandsons on the way down to Cornwall and spend a full day there,two hours were not enough.
We picked up Marta from Bristol airport yesterday ,as his car is still in the garage ,[you too Sean,he he,Brenda],but he had better get it back today because we go home tomorrow ,lol.
Anyway ,give me the centre of Manchester any day ,even in the rush hour after that ,at least they have the traffic flow well organised ,Bath is a nightmare,and there is no other way through to the airport that we could find.
Come hell or high water ,we isss having our B B Q today and i intend going to Morrison's for the bits for it as well as fill the car up for the trip home ,I reckon 6 beef ,ditto pork and apple burger's and two pounds of cumberland sausies should do fine ,finger buns for the latter ,but seeded buns from Iceland for the burgers which i will pick up on the way home as i get Sean his garlic Lasagne' that he loves ,on special this week ,2 for £2.
It has been a nice visit,but i have to be home for Friday for obvious reasons and anyway ,i am missing my little furry partner.
See you later all ,hope you are all looking forward to your weekends ,Fred,

Afternoon everyone,its a bit grey here today and has just started aining,its not heavy ,but as i have not got to go out now i don't mind it,and the garto here about good luck!!dens etc need it.
Been busy trying to sort out some of my books and photos so we will not have has much to dust etc.But i don't like giving away too many books,The photos are going in multi picture frames which we have had ages but not used yet,they will then go on the walls in the hall and up the stairs,
I am out with my youngest sister tomorrow,she is coming here first for lunch,then we are going shopping for some shoes for her.
Hope the weather stays dry.
Glad someone has had some good luck Sylvia makes a nice change,hope you continue to keep good health.
Hope you have a good natter with your brother Dorothyd ,how is the one who had the operation ?
Have to get the tea sorted now,Hope Fred is ok.Brenda

hi it is hot and muggy to-day congtats on you small lottery win sylvia a little is better than nothing one of ours is 50 million dollars this friday I think I will buy a ticket you never know your luck, my sister is leaving for british columbia on wednesady for her brother in laws memorial service I think they will stay till sunday . the doggie will go back to the doggie spa again but he seems to like it there!!. had the mammagram done yesterday and all went well I think I don't mind it the techs are good and make it quite comfortable. I also had a message from the half brother in scotland he has been working way up the north of scotland so he says he will phone on friday it will be ice to chat too him, his wife and son are on holiday in bulgaria with friends.well I must dash and do some laundry hope you all have a good day and that freds trip is going well bye dorothy

Hi all,
Well it has been so hot over here that I have been doing the minimum of work. I do have to go to my physiotherapy twice a week.
I have been doing the minimum of cooking too. I made an effort today and wrapped some pieces of turkey in streaky bacon and put in an ovenproof dish with cherry tomatoes, chopped onions and added the potatoes too with lots and lots of herbs. It tasted delicious.
I have treated myself to a Cuttlebug machine for embossing and cutting out shapes for my cards I make. I bought it on internet and found a good offer as they are rather pricey things to buy.
I jumped for joy when I saw that I had all 6 numbers correct in the state lottery, but because I have stopped buying whole tickets and only 1/5 of the price I don't get so much. Instead of getting thousands of Euros, I just get a couple of hundred. Mind you that is not to be sniffed at.
See you all again soon
syl xxx

hi brenda and the travelling fred and liz hope that you get to the gym and what is this about being shy I think that happens to us all when we quit work meeting new people in the work enviroment is easy but takes a little doing when we stop I found, our humid weather has broken quite the thunder and lightening last night but no rain but to-day the heavens are to open, I have a mammagram apt this afternoon so it will probably start then, yes I heard that some of the new places in bury are to open soon would like to see the new stores when that happens, I wonder what marks will be like when it moves.I watched the match yesterday I don't think that it was the best I have ever watched all those yellow cards they seem to fall down for no reason except to get the other fellow into trouble maybe I am wrong but they seem like a bunch of sissies at times. well time to get the day started bye for now dorothy

Morning all,we supposed to have abit of a mixed bag today weather wise,as long as it isnot as humid /sultry as it has been the last few nights.!!!
Hope you get Neils book soon Dorothy it is very good.,sorry about your brother in laws brother.
I am told part of the new shopping leisure centre will open in Bury later this week,think its the cinema and bowling alley,Will not be visiting them for a while,but will go to the shops when they open,but not sure when that will be.
I am hoping to start going to a gym for older people with my friend later this morning,need a bit of support these days when going new places,seem to be getting shy!!!Fred hope you are still enjoying your visit,Have been getting emails from the family to accept them as friends on face book ,did accept some as I wanted to see some photos ,but do find it rather complicated !! ,Need to get some things done in case my friend calls about the gym,
Brendah